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Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Gluten-Free in Tennessee!!

It's been a week and a couple of days since our move (job relocation) from Indianapolis and we are happy to be in our new home and we are enjoying our new town. Hendersonville is just 30 minutes northeast of Nashville, so we look forward to exploring the Music City.

With moving, you definitely have obstacles when it comes to the gluten-free diet. Less cooking and more eating out! Jack is a picky eater so it's not easy at home or at a restaurant to make sure he's eating nutritiously. When you have a child that doesn't like meat or vegetables, you have to substitute with a gluten-free vitamin and try to incorporate as many gluten-free foods as possible. Okay, he does like ONE vegetable - POTATO.

Also when moving to a new town, finding the most resourceful gluten-free store is very important. Our most essential gluten-free item is Udi's White Bread. I called the Kroger and Publix down the street and they both did not carry it. So I called the new Kroger Marketplace which is about 15 minutes down the road and they carry it! THANK YOU! So of course, I went and purchased 5 loaves at $5.99 each. A little more expensive here - I could usually get a loaf for $5.39 in Indianapolis.

Besides the food, I'm also in search of a new pediatric GI doctor as well as local celiac disease support groups. I believe they do have a local ROCK (Raising Our Celiac Kids) chapter, so I'll be in touch with them. I think support groups are very important - it's a chance to meet other parents and children that understand celiac disease and as my son gets older, I think it would be great for him to relate to other kids that are living a gluten-free lifestyle as well.

One thing I have found, is a pre-school for Jack and his sister Georgia. They are very excited to start tomorrow and I must say, I am too. :) They have been great through this whole moving process. I'm looking forward to settling in and exploring our new town.

6 comments:

My 3.5 yr old is very picky...I am constantly trying to convince him to try chicken or turkey. Currently the only meat he eats are hotdogs (Yuk!) and ham. Are main problem is he wants to just snack all day instead of eating meals.

Amy - When we first found out about the disease - I went to the store and tried a couple of the bread mixes - they were very heavy and just didn't taste like bread. I haven't tried and homemade GF bread, I'm not much of a baker - but I may have to start!

Andrea - at least he's eating two meats! My son won't even try it! I'm going to put some ham in the scrambled eggs the next time I make them - he did try that a while back - I need to try it again. I think we just keep trying, right? That's really all we can do. Hot dog's better than nothin'! ;)

Hang in there - my Jack (who is now 14! where does the time go) has morphed from a one-food-only kinda guy into an experimental foodie. Give it time and keep doing what you're doing. Sounds like you're doing an excellent job of providing him with the nutrition he needs. :)

Welcome to TN (I am a mom from momslikeme and have daughter with celiac)!

$1.00 off coupon for Udi's products: http://udisglutenfree.com/ (limit 2 - pass on to friends to get them to print 2 for you)

Udi's goes on sale A LOT at Publix - $3.99 a loaf.

Nashville Celiac Support group website and they have a facebook group page http://www.facebook.com/pages/CSA-Nashville-Middle-Tennessee-Celiac-Chapter-76/333989989898. ROCK is going through a re-organization time right now.

Hi Wendi! Thanks for posting! How old is your daughter? Thank you for the info. I just spent $5.99 at Kroger for two loaves. I'll keep an eye out at Publix. I will check out the Celiac Support Group for sure! Keep in touch!